POLITICAL AND ECONOMICAL CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

POLITICAL CAUSES:

• Taxation without representation

a. Sugar, Stamp, Tea & Townshend Acts

• Limitation of individual rights

a. Quartering Act, Proclamation of 1763

Economical Causes

• Taxation without representation

• Trade restrictions

a. Navigation Acts – limited trade with England only, could only use British ships, had to pass through British ports

• Mercantilism

a. Colonies exist for the trade benefits of the Mother Country

Even after the Declaration of Independence, 15-20% of colonists remained loyal to the English King and opposed independence. These people were called LOYALISTS.

WHO WERE THE LOYALISTS

• Often older and the wealthier people• Often had business connections with Britain• Morally opposed to resistance• Afraid of new government• Not confident in ability of Patriots to defeat

the British• Other name for Loyalist - Tory

PATRIOTS

• Wanted independence from Britain

• Wanted their own country called the United States of America

• Another name : Sons of Liberty

Famous Patriots: Sam Adams, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Ben Franklin